West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-11-25
HOW PILOTS are MADE.
The Long, Dreary Task OF Learning the
Intricacies OF Port Navigation.

The Long, Dreary Iask VI Aoarhin6 INC
Intricacies OF Port Navigation.
Pilots do not grow, they are made, and
a long. dreary task it is with some Of
them in the making. A man may have
been an excellent seaman, serviceable
mate, or even a good sea captain and then
make a very bad pilot. This sea life,
knowledge and instinct, other things
equal. make him better pilot. But the
intricacies Of port navigation require
brighter, quicker, keener comprehension
than that necessary for handling ship
where there is abundant sea room. The
rights of innumerable interests, the vaga-
ries of tide and current, the ever chang
ing character of obstruction or open ways,
all require special training and years OF
most arduous requirement.
But the original pilot material is
stumbled upon, not made! A ''cub" or
"boy," as the apprentice is called,
whether IA or 40 years of age, may have
come from any landwise calling with a
cruise or two at sea to his advantage; he
NAV have been the most wretched of sea-
men, or even the most excellent of ships
officers tired of long cruises, or with
some other strong motive for compacter
life anchorage. But wise or ignorant,
old or young, he must serve rigorous
apprenticeship of three years. This is
arbitrary, even though he became Ca
pable pilot in six months. Each boats
crew consists of a boat keeper, SIX OF
these prentice pilots and cook. The
ambitious apprentice, as in any other vo-
cation, is alert for every opportunity to
advance himself in actual knowledge and
skill. and the old heads in the business
easily select the man who is ready to en-
dure any hardship, or assume any hazard
in the line of duty, for pure gaining in
knowledge or skill. For while he may
get nothing but his food for his services,
though this is infrequent, the usual wages
ranging from $15 to $1S per month.
After the three years. term has expired
he may apply for his pilot license, or he
may already have become boatkeeper.
If so, he has secured an advance in wages
to about $50 per month, and has got a
long way toward place in his vocation;
for these two boatkeepers are practically
the sailing masters of the pilot boat, and
they are never expected to leave their
craft day or night so long as they hold
this responsible position.
In applying for his license as a pilot,
he is chung up on the blackboard" F" that
is, his application is bulletined at the COM
missioner's office for thirty days. Then
he is under fire of scrutiny and objection
as to fitness, and complaint as to charac-
ter. if any Of these faults exist. If he
passes this trial safely, he then meets the
ordeal of regular examination by the
full board of pilot commissioners. to
which are added two old sea dog pilots
selected for their peculiar aptness III trip
ping up possibly unworthy applicants.
Nor does he now become a full fiedged
pilot. He still serves probationary term
of two years as journeyman. All this
time he is subject to the stricteS espion-
age and criticism upon his work. and is
given charge of only vessels OF the light
est draught. Indeed, all licenses are
based upon certain draught, and the jour
neymans license will not entitle him to
pilot vessel drawing upwards of sixteen
to eighteen feet; so that at best his pro-
gress is painfully slow. After he becomes
a full pilot any inefficiency or the slightest
mishap is liable to cause his suspension or
the withdrawal of his license altogether,
while, whether novice or pilot of a quar-
ter century's actual service, his license
must be renewed each year, and then
only on absolutely unimpeachablc good
standing Edgar L. Wakeman' Letter.